Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy of Serbia in Doha Slobodan Radeka affirmed the importance of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, not only for Qatar but for the whole Middle East and the Arab World.

In an exclusive statement to QNA, H E Slobodan Radeka said: that this World Cup will be special in many ways. "I would like to pay a tribute to the State of Qatar, its authorities and people for all the unprecedented efforts that have been invested in the successful organisation of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022., he added.

“We are very proud to have our National Football Team participating in the tournament and the expectations about its results are not small. Experts say that this is one of the best national football teams in many years, led by the experienced coach, former world class player and the legend of the Serbian and Yugoslavian football, Dragan Stojkovic Piksi,” he added.

“The World Cup would also provide the opportunity for the high officials of our two countries to meet. Overall relations between Serbia and Qatar are very good, but there is for sure a room for further improvement in a number of areas and fields. We do have quite good basis and foundation in terms of agreements and memoranda between our two countries, in the fields of economy, investment, culture and sports,” he continued.

“With trade exchange of about $15m a year, there is definitely a huge potential to enhance cooperation, particularly in the field of economy, trade, investment as well as energy,” he stressed, adding that this is one of their priorities in the coming months and weeks.

Speaking about Qatar’s World Cup preparations, Slobodan Radeka said: “The World Cup and preparations for it enable the Embassy to participate in a number of activities to promote our country, nation and its culture. In the field of culture, the Republic of Serbia and State of Qatar concluded an agreement on cooperation in this field, as the framework. Drafts have been exchanged between the National Libraries of the two countries. We do recognise the importance of the cultural cooperation as a bridge between the countries and its peoples.”

“The Embassy with the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Serbia, are participating in two major cultural projects. We believe our country will be properly represented to Qatar and to the World, which will, so to speak, gather itself in Doha,” he added.

Regarding the Serbian Fans, Charge d’Affaires of the Serbian Embassy noted that the basic role of the Embassy will be to greet them and to provide all kinds of the consular protection, and there could be a need for such services, as it is usual for the events of this magnitude.